Revelation 22:10 Commentary and Bible Study

This is the opposite of what was said to Daniel so long before: ‘O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end (Daniel 12:4, 9). Now it is, ‘Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.’ The things that are described in this book are going to be happening right now. From now on to the end of time. This is not a book that the church can afford to ignore. Its images, though shocking and taxing, provide essential guidance through this final period of struggle.At first sight the sentiment of this verse may seem surprising – ‘He who is unjust, let him be unjust still’! Is this the normal mode of expression of Scripture? Doesn’t God desire the repentance of the wicked after all? The literal form of words suggests that God wishes that no wicked man should become a believer. This is clearly not the case, for many have been converted since. A point is being made here that goes beyond the bare meaning of the words. There are two corresponding pairs of attributes, two evil and two good. To heighten the contrast, the first of each pair corresponds to the first of the other pair and similarly the second to the second. ‘Unjust’ contrasts with ‘righteous’, and ‘filthy’ with ‘holy’. The two are as far apart as they could be. Why then is each one urged not to change? Because, as the previous verse has told us, the time of Christ’s return is near. Because a time will certainly come when change will no longer be possible (Swete). Yes, and therefore even before that day comes and because it is coming soon, each one should live as if it had already come. If we have chosen sin, then let us be committed to that choice and all that goes with it, of which we have heard in such vivid detail throughout the book.The point is that that day has not yet come. The words imply responsibility. They are addressed to those who still have a choice to make. It is the individual who is being called upon to determine their character. Again Swete points out that the third person imperative is aorist in tense indicating one off completed action. The sense therefore is not, ‘the unjust one, let him go on being unjust still’, speaking of continuous future action as might appear to be the case from the English. Rather it is, ‘the unjust one, let him choose to be unjust once and for all’. Why? Because eternal matters are settled in this world. Because eternal character is determined by the present moment. The change from death to life is not a gradual change. When the Spirit works in our hearts, he calls us to die to sin once and for all. The wicked will be abandoned to their foolish choice at the last day. Before that day, God pleads with all men and women.